Thermal Energy created by block sliding down ramp

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a crate sliding down a ramp, specifically focusing on the thermal energy generated during the process. The scenario includes a crate weighing 1300 N on a ramp inclined at 40 degrees, with participants exploring the implications of friction and acceleration.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between friction, acceleration, and the absence of a coefficient of friction. Some explore the concept of constant velocity and its implications for net forces acting on the crate.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants offering insights into the physics involved while others question the assumptions made about the motion of the crate. There is no explicit consensus on the conditions of the crate's movement.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of information regarding the coefficient of friction, which is central to solving the problem. The discussion also highlights the assumption that the crate may or may not be moving at constant velocity, which affects the analysis.

ccflyfisher
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1. A 1300 N crate slides 15 m down a ramp that makes an angle of 40 degrees with the horizontal.


2. F therm = Fk[tex]\Delta[/tex][tex]X[/tex]


3. I understand how to solve this with the coefficient of friction given, but how can I without the problem stating [tex]\mu[/tex]?
 
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Without more information, you can't.
 
You can solve this because to get a constant velocity down the ramp, there must be 0 net acceleration. You can solve for the acceleration down the ramp due to gravity but doing gsin([tex]\theta[/tex]),or 9.8m/s2*sin(40[tex]\circ[/tex]), which gives you 6.3m/s2. Since this is the acceleration downwards, friction must produce the same acceleration up the ramp to produce the constant velocity. Simply multiply this acceleration by the mass of the object (1300N/9.8m/s2=132.653), then by 15 meters.
You get about 12534.358 J, or 1.3*104.
 
Who said anything about the crate moving at constant velocity?
 

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